News

Volunteers’ Week takes place 1st – 7th June every year. It’s a chance to celebrate and to say thank you for the contribution made by millions of volunteers in the UK and across the world.

Most of the events that are usually held to mark Volunteers’ Week have been put on hold because of the pandemic, but the work of volunteers goes on! Indeed, the challenges posed by Covid-19 mean that volunteering has a bigger part than ever to play in the welfare of whole communities, and in particular in the lives of isolated and vulnerable people.

Locally, Volunteer Uttlesford (VU) has mounted a vigorous response to the pandemic. Our volunteers have been assigned tasks helping vulnerable, shielding and self-isolating people with shopping, prescription delivery and telephone befriending. To date we have:

established contact with 909 people seeking help with the current challenges

delivered 964 prescriptions from pharmacies to the people who need them.

We shall continue our work across the district, as the whole country moves steadily towards whatever the ‘new normal’ turns out to be! We can be sure however that, whatever life is like in the future, the role of volunteers will be crucial. In the meantime, we at VU want to thank all our volunteers for the great work they continue to do. Give yourselves a round of applause!

Much appreciated

Here are some of the comments we have received from people who have received help from our volunteers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Pat Lodge: a fond farewell

For the last 10 years Volunteer Uttlesford has benefited immensely from the energy and commitment of Volunteer Coordinator Pat Lodge. Pat has now left us, having retired.

VU wishes her well in her future projects and thanks her for her many valuable contributions over the years. She will be much missed.

Carnival postponed for one year

Saffron Walden’s 2020 Carnival (‘The Eight-day Weekend’), planned to take place this July, is amongst the many events that are being postponed because of Covid-19. It is intended that the carnival will take place in 2021. Further details on the carnival website.

Dementia Café

The Dementia Café will be closed until the current restrictions due to Covid-19 have been lifted. It will resume as soon as possible, to give support, information an advice to people with dementia and those who care for them.